Public gets glimpse into rail project

A joint project between SEPTA and the Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority, the Schuylkill Valley Metro (SVM) will connect both Montgomery and Berks counties with rail connections from Reading to Center City Philadelphia.

"People are excited," said David Fogel, director of Long Range Planning and Project Manager for SVM. "Iˆ'm hearing that there is a need for this."

While several proposals using either light rail or buses were also proposed, the plan officials in the room preferred was a heavy rail commuter line that would be built along existing rails, extending northwest from the current R6 Norristown line.

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At a projected cost of $1.6 billion, SVM would be responsible for putting in new rails and building stations. From Philadelphia to Reading, the SVM line would measure 62 miles. The plan projects the lowest cost and highest ridership of all the proposals.

The decision to push forward with the plan came close on the heels of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengerˆ's monthly newsletter, which criticized both SEPTA and BARTA for considering light rail and buses as alternatives.

"This is a huge victory for common sense," said Donald Nigro, president of DVARP."Some new track will be needed for added capacity, but it makes sense to share resources."

SEPTA General Manager John K. Leary Jr. also sped up the project, wary that the system could lose federal funding to projects ahead of them around the country. Federal funding will finance 90 percent of the SVM project.

Whether or not any sharing takes place is up to Norfolk Southern Corporation, the largest rail freight company in Pennsylvania. Since taking over Conrail in June 1999, Norfolk Southern owns the right-of-way for the track area between Norristown and Reading.

"Weˆ're not opposed to it, so long as it can be devised in a manner that preserves future applications for freight rail," said Rudy Husband, public relations director for Norfolk Southern. "It would be a mistake to look at this as a closed deal."

Norfolk Southernˆ's main problem with the new line concerns liability issues.Discussions are continuing with both SEPTA and BARTA to form a resolution.

"The liability issues will be addressed and resolved," Fogel promised.

Issues or not, many who attended the open house looked at the plans with optimism.

"This is the best thing that could happen," said Flo Straub, who owns a business in Phoenixville. "It will be marvelous for residents and businesses."

"Using the heavier rail service will mesh well with the SEPTA system," said Andrew Hart, a retired highway supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. "Widening routes 202 and 422 is an improvement, but the highways will get more congested."

SVMˆ's timetable has construction beginning in 2002 and finishing by 2006. Until then, more open houses are planned, and three public hearings will be held, probably in September.

"All comments will be recorded and must be addressed before moving to the next phase," said Tom Halterman, a SVM representative.

But not everyone who went to the open house shared the optimism.

"This is too little too late," said Carl Lardeck of Wayne, who is a self-confessed railroad aficionado.

Lardeck said that dedicated lines ran up to Reading, still in place in the 1980s. These tracks were torn up for more highway construction. Now billions must be spent in feasibility studies and construction to replace the same tracks that were discarded.

"Rails are bound by a schedule," he said."People like to come and go as they please."